Texas House Bill HB406

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to the creation of a task force to determine alternative methods of assessing the performance of public school students and school districts.

Impact

The proposed task force is to be composed of a diverse group of 42 members, including teachers, school administrators, parents, students, and community members. It aims to take into account perspectives from different stakeholders in the educational system to ensure that the recommendations are comprehensive and inclusive. The task force is granted a timeline of until February 1, 2018, to submit its findings to the Commissioner of Education, who is expected to use these insights to develop a new accountability system focused on student learning rather than standardized testing.

Summary

House Bill 406 establishes a task force dedicated to exploring alternative methods for assessing the performance of public school students and districts in Texas. It is a response to growing concerns regarding the efficacy and fairness of standardized testing, which many argue does not accurately reflect student learning and growth. The task force's primary objective is to evaluate various assessment methods that could serve as substitutes for traditional standardized tests, utilizing a broader range of metrics to measure student performance and learning achievements.

Contention

While the bill addresses an important aspect of educational reform, it may also prompt discussions regarding the effectiveness of current assessment methods versus proposed alternatives. Critics of standardized testing assert that these tests can be detrimental to both students and teachers, as they can limit the educational experience and foster teaching to the test. On the other hand, there may be concerns among some educators and stakeholders about the feasibility and reliability of alternative assessment methods being proposed by the task force, including whether they can be implemented effectively across diverse school settings.